In other words the issue of a resident permit alone entitles us to the right to vote. The EC also indicated to me they may take infringement procedures against Cyprus for non-compliance with the directive, which could involve, once more, a hefty fine for Cyprus (taxpayers' money, of course). I have made the Ministry of the Interior in Nicosia aware of this in September and they say they will change their law. But up until then they apparently intend to ignore the European law. My advice is to ex-pat residents is: do not apply for a Cyprus ID and protest to your District Officer if they refuse to put you on the electoral roll after presenting your residence permit. Copy of letter from the EC sent on request.

paliometoxo wrote:i have a lebanese friend shes been here i think 14 years and they wont give her an Id card, its not alwayts easy for non cypriots

This is a different issue, paliometoxo. EU nationals who have a residence permit can obtain Cyprus IDs quite easily. Some British permanent residents keep on grousing about the requirement to obtain a Cyprus ID card before they can get a voting book to vote in municipal and EU elections. They seem to think that this is an infringement on their human rights. As long as you fill out the form correctly and bring the required documents, EU nationals can obtain one of these IDs immediately. I wish all human rights infringements were so painless!

I heard on this morning's BBC radio "Today" news programme that the British government now plans to beef up the procedures involved in registering to vote in the UK, including a requirement for individual rather than family registration and making presentation of IDs mandatory. Looks like Cyprus may not have got it so wrong after all!

akash wrote:In other words the issue of a resident permit alone entitles us to the right to vote.

Cyprus politics predominantly revolve around the Cyprus problem so allowing thousands of foreigners who may just be passing through to vote is both pointless and dangerous.

I haven’t looked into the relevant laws, but as a GC I would expect my government to be responsible enough to limit voting rights to those who have been permanent residents with all paperwork in order for at least 10 years.

akash wrote:In other words the issue of a resident permit alone entitles us to the right to vote.

Cyprus politics predominantly revolve around the Cyprus problem so allowing thousands of foreigners who may just be passing through to vote is both pointless and dangerous.

I haven’t looked into the relevant laws, but as a GC I would expect my government to be responsible enough to limit voting rights to those who have been permanent residents with all paperwork in order for at least 10 years.

In European Union member states permanent residents who are citizens of another EU state get to vote in municipal and European elections. There is no minimum residence critereon.

akash wrote:In other words the issue of a resident permit alone entitles us to the right to vote.

Cyprus politics predominantly revolve around the Cyprus problem so allowing thousands of foreigners who may just be passing through to vote is both pointless and dangerous.

I haven’t looked into the relevant laws, but as a GC I would expect my government to be responsible enough to limit voting rights to those who have been permanent residents with all paperwork in order for at least 10 years.

In European Union member states permanent residents who are citizens of another EU state get to vote in municipal and European elections. There is no minimum residence critereon.

akash wrote:In other words the issue of a resident permit alone entitles us to the right to vote.

Cyprus politics predominantly revolve around the Cyprus problem so allowing thousands of foreigners who may just be passing through to vote is both pointless and dangerous.

I haven’t looked into the relevant laws, but as a GC I would expect my government to be responsible enough to limit voting rights to those who have been permanent residents with all paperwork in order for at least 10 years.

In European Union member states permanent residents who are citizens of another EU state get to vote in municipal and European elections. There is no minimum residence critereon.

If we're only talking about municipal and European elections then I should've even bothered responding in this thread...

Citizens of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Malta and Cyprus are eligible to register to vote at all UK elections and so do not need to use this form. You can register to vote here if you are not already registered.